In the critical first 24 hours after whelping, breeders must ensure each puppy’s survival by clearing airways and stimulating them to breathe. Maintaining warmth, tying off umbilical cords, checking health, and encouraging nursing of colostrum are crucial. Awareness of when to seek veterinary help can transition a struggling puppy into one thriving.
Pyometra is a severe uterine infection in dogs that usually occurs post-heat and can lead to sepsis, organ failure, and death. While surgical removal is the primary treatment, medical options like Alizin and prostaglandins may preserve fertility if the condition is detected early. Customizing treatment to the individual case is essential for optimal outcomes.
If you’ve ever felt a sense of reassurance after lining up a “proven stud,” you’re not alone. For many breeders, this label suggests reliability, fertility, and an easier path to puppies. But while prior success is worth considering, it doesn’t always tell the whole story. In this post, we’ll explore Read more
By Dr. Kristina Belton, DVM If you left your first breeding experience feeling overwhelmed, confused, or even a little heartbroken, you’re not alone. Many breeders walk into that first experience with hope, a healthy female, and maybe a few late-night forum threads — but not always the full picture. And Read more
Breeding failures often stem from overlooked uterine health, despite timing and semen quality. A healthy uterus plays a crucial role in nurturing embryos and ensuring successful pregnancies. Common unseen issues like endometrial hyperplasia and chronic inflammation can impair fertility. Awareness of these factors aids in improving breeding outcomes.
You want to feed your dogs in a way that supports healthy pregnancies, bigger litters, and strong, thriving puppies. But if you’ve spent any time in online forums, you’ve probably seen dozens of conflicting opinions—about what to feed, when to feed it, and whether to add things like liver, yogurt, Read more
Breeding dogs is part science, part strategy, and part holding your breath. If you’ve ever wondered why a breeding didn’t take—even though she was flagging, standing, and “seemed ready”—you’re not alone. Because while timing is everything, there’s one big problem: Most beginner dog breeders are taught to time the wrong Read more
I didn’t grow up breeding dogs. In fact, I grew up in the “adopt-don’t-shop” rescue world—where every intact dog was a problem waiting to happen. I even teased my parents about their un-neutered dogs, joking that I was going to become a vet and sneak in at night to “steal Read more
Congratulations! You’ve just welcomed a beautiful new litter of puppies into the world. This is an exciting time for everyone involved, and it’s also a crucial time for both the mother and her newborns. It’s easy to get wrapped up in caring for the newborns, but what about Mom? In Read more
Welcoming a new litter of puppies into the world is an exciting and joyous experience! Ensuring that the mother and her puppies have a safe and comfortable environment is crucial for their health and well-being during this critical phase. Setting up a whelping area requires careful planning and attention to Read more